Abigail Colton had been standing at the docks for almost ten minutes waiting for an old friend to arrive when a young man came sauntering past her.
Abigail couldn't help but stare at him as he walked by, and when he hopped into the boat beside her, she called to him, "I'm sorry, but do I know you from somewhere?"
He looked up at her with one eye closed, blinded by the morning sun, and grinned, "That is without a doubt the worst pick-up line I think I've ever heard. I'm afraid you're going to have to do much better."
She laughed, "Please, I am not trying anything, I'm being serious."
He sighed, "And now you've hurt my feelings, you're really not very good at this are you?"
Abigail rolled her eyes as the man climbed up to the clocks beside her and stretched out his hand, "Duke Crocker, nice to meet you."
The girl before him froze for a second before shaking his hand in return, "Lovely to meet you Duke, I'm –"
"Well, well, well, little Abby Crocker!"
Abigail turned to see Chief Nathan Wuornos jogging along the boardwalk to where she stood. She laughed and was engulfed in a bear-like hug.
"Nathan! It's about time you got here!"
"Sorry," he apologised, "got caught up in a case."
He pointed a finger at her, "Speaking of which, you haven't met Audrey yet, have you?"
Abigail shook her head.
"Great, we're having a little get-together down at the Gull and, if you're not too busy unpacking, we'd be happy to have you down for a drink."
Abigail smiled and agreed.
Whilst their conversation continued, Duke stared at the girl in front of him, then glanced back and forth between her and Nathan before something finally clicked in his memory.
"Abigail?" The look on his face was that of utter bewilderment as she turned and smiled at him, "Sure took you long enough Crocker."
He grinned spitefully, "My apologies, it's just that you've been gone so long, I had trouble remembering who you were."
She glared at him but ignored the comment, instead she turned to Nathan, "Shall we go?"
He nodded, "By all means." and turned to walk back to the boardwalk.
Abigail turned to Duke, "It was nice seeing you again."
He ignored her comment so she laughed and shook her head, "I'll see you around Crocker."